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My first attempt at making my own music. The vocals are taken from a Taiwanese tribe who live on a remote island and sing this unusual eight-part harmony which is modelled on sounds heard in the forests around them. The mixing definitely needs a bit of work, as it is definitely a bit too quiet! 

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Another undeniable summer tune, in a similar vein to Floorplan’s “Tell You No Lie”, Midland returns to Regraded to release “Final Credits”. The song features a cleverly worked Gladys Knight sample, and what sounds like a warped saxophone which drives the track forward. Definitely expect to hear this one being played everywhere throughout the summer.

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Really good video taking a look at Bradley Zero’s Rhythm Section, and his parties at Canavan’s in Peckham. Definitely worth the trip! 

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Sure to be one of the hits of the summer, Floorplan is back with a new album Victorious. This single sees the undeniable talents of Robert Hood on full display. A-Side “Music” is a swelling synthy hit, but it’s the B-Side “Tell You No Lie” that does it for me. The songs features screaming disco vocals over the top of energetic strings and a classic disco bassline - a peak time belter.

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This summertime tune from Joey Chicago is an absolute must. The producer/DJ, from Germany, gives us a masterclass in classic filter house. Joey is also the Co-Founder of the famous underground House Label 4Disco Records. Check him out! 

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Short video from Denis Sulta playing at the Hydra on December 5th. The song playing is called “TIME 4 PRAYER” and is coming out on Dixon Avenue Basement Jams. Riot.

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HNNY - Sunday (Album Review)

HNNY (pronounced ‘Honey’), is the quirky, Winnie the Pooh loving, house producer from Sweden. With an impressive back catalogue of individual releases and remixes on labels such as Studio Barnhus and Local Talk, Sunday represents HNNY’s first tentative exploration into a full length LP. The album does exactly what it says on the tin, providing the perfect soundtrack to those lazy Sundays on the sofa, or a gentle nursing back to life after a heavy weekend.

HNNY takes full advantage of the album format, taking us on a crackly and warm journey from the club to the sofa. Close by at all times is a natural and organic sound that holds everything together beautifully. Interspersed with vocal samples and background murmurs, the album blends seamlessly into the background, providing the perfect accompaniment going about your day. 

“Sunday”, the album’s title track, kicks things off, or rather, pushes off with a fuzzy downtempo feel that sets the gentle and relaxed tone of the album. Next up is “Cheer Up, My Brother”, another beautifully crafted and gentle song to soundtrack our journey downstream. “You Feeling Alright” sees us take a slight turn, livening things up with a prominent but inoffensive syncopated synth. The vocal sample gives the feeling of listening to the radio and adds to the warm and gentle atmosphere. “Memory Tape One” is a melancholic ambient cut that takes us back to the relaxing tone set by the first two tracks. Following on from that is “There is No One Else”, which sees us return to the deep house sound we’ve come to associate with HNNY. Check out his brilliant Boiler Room set to hear more in this vein. 

The stand out track of the album, however, comes right at the end. “My Baby” is a beautifully slow house track. A simple guitar riff lazes over the top of what sounds like live drumming. A bass guitar adds weight, while the laughter and happiness of a little girl’s voice adds the emotion to what is already a poignant song full of feeling. It caps off a truly brilliant experience of listening to the album, and it’s not long before you put it on again, sit back, and relax. 

9/10

[Released August 2015]

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Denis Sulta is probably someone you will hear me banging on about for the coming months. So far, I haven’t heard a single song of his that I haven’t loved. This cut, a disco flecked banger which uses a spine tingling Smokey Robinson vocal, is another gem from the up and coming Glasgow man. 

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(via mike skinner...so)

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“Rust” is the debut single by new collaboration AKASE, out on !K7 as of last week. Harry Agius (aka Midland) takes control of production, while Robbie Redway provides the vocals in this haunting grower.

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Tom Blip’s “Wrong Guanco” is the second release of the fledgling percussive house label Blip Discs. Coming off the back of a successful first release (”Tyrion/Desmond's Empire by O'Flynn), “Wrong Guanco” is a swirling masterclass of tribal/percussive house, based around the sample of a 70s conga player. The B-Side, “Shekere” is equally impressive.

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Genuinely huge song from Denis Sulta - the pseudonym of a long time Rubadub collaborator. Seems another talent has emerged from Glasgow.

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Bulgarian producer KiNK has seen great success over the past 18 months, most recently with the release of his “Cloud Generator” EP. This track here is a bit more of an oldie, which he put out around this time three years ago. Turn up your speakers and let the train hurtle through your living room... In the words of Darius Syrossian this one is a basement BOMB.

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In this short clip, we are given the pleasure of seeing German giant Sven Väth unleashing a huge track at the Boiler Room in Berlin. Safe to say the crowd loses it.

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Adesse Versions has released “Pride” on Jackmaster’s Numbers. The three track EP features the title track, a dub version, and a third track titled “First Time”. “Pride” is a sassy banger which has featured prominently in the sets of Jackmaster, Skream and B.Traits to name a few. It is a vinyl release only, and can be purchased here (I got mine).  

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On more than one occasion, Jamie Jones is tasked with picking up the pieces in this b2b with Seth Troxler. Vinyl fails Troxler, his obsure italo house tracks skipping and stuttering, puncturing the mood built by Jones’s careful selections. Although there are lots of nice new tracks played here (such as this), one too many unforgivable mistakes from the Troxler made it difficult to settle into this set. Nevertheless, this is still worth a watch/listen for Jones, as well as Troxler’s undeniable charms. 

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The stormy, unrelenting atmosphere created by Darius Syrossian’s fusion of house and techno is showcased on his forthcoming EP, “Su Casa”. From the rolling darkness of the opening minute emerges a sharp vocal sample, hissing hi-hats, and a thumping house beat. Santé and Sidney Charles’s remix is even more brutal, demanding dangerous noise levels. Out on Berlin-based Avotre on March 23, the original mix has already been proven a hit with crowds in Europe.